Topeka Hiway Mower

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   The Empires were not really built by Willys, they just supplied many of the parts to the company who did build them. Empires used surplus war material first, then moved onto buying from Willys. Probably a similar arrangement to what Topeka did.

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
Bob3b Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 08 Mar. 2010 Location: Akron, Ohio Status: Offline Points: 3056	Post Options Post Reply Quote Bob3b Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Topeka Hiway Mower Posted: 20 June 2022 at 12:54pm
	The Empires were not really built by Willys, they just supplied many of the parts to the company who did build them. Empires used surplus war material first, then moved onto buying from Willys. Probably a similar arrangement to what Topeka did.
	1946 CJ2A #23881 1953 CJ3b, nice! 1949 Jeepster 1947 Empire Model 90 1985 CJ10A Spen "S" Utility trailer Kubota l3400

adam18830 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 15 May 2014 Location: 18830 NE PA Status: Offline Points: 191	Post Options Post Reply Quote adam18830 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 14 Dec. 2021 at 7:18pm
	Anybody following these anywhere? Adam

HillBillE Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 22 June 2009 Location: Duluth, MN Status: Offline Points: 442	Post Options Post Reply Quote HillBillE Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 24 June 2009 at 3:53am
	Hard to tell from the pics, are the axles narrowed? Or are they standard Willys width? Cool little rigs!
	5 Jeeps, 4 HAM radios, and not enough things that go 'BANG!' (no, not hammers!) N1CJP '47 CJ2A #112146 '46 CJ2A #23754 '52 CJ3A #452-GB1-10197

1959willysnut Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 29 May 2009 Status: Offline Points: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote 1959willysnut Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 24 June 2009 at 3:17am
	Bill, It's is similar to an Empire tractor in that the Empire was built by Willys, but the Topeka was not. The first generation Topeka used Ford parts and sheet metal was shaped like an Empire. One owner provided photos where two four speed transmissions where used in tandem. You'd have to drive a stake to see if it's moving in low-low range. The second generation of Topeka Hiway mowers (like mine) used Willys parts such as front and rear axles, T-90 transmission, D-18 transfer case, and a four cylinder Continetal engine similar to Willys L-134. Just today someone emailed to say that one sold on Ebay ( in Wisconsin) for $500. I contacted the seller in hopes he can provide the purchasers' contact information to add to my list of owners.

F Bill Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Sponsor Member x 2 Joined: 05 Dec. 2005 Location: central Texas Status: Offline Points: 7747	Post Options Post Reply Quote F Bill Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 May 2009 at 2:46pm
	Is that at all related to the empire tractor? the last pic you posted looks very "Empirish".
	If you haven't checked out the tech FAQ section, go to: http://www.thecj2apage.com/forums/tech-faq_forum57.html for a lot of great stuff you need to know!!

rocketeer Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Sponsor Member Joined: 26 June 2008 Location: Lehighton, PA Status: Offline Points: 3473	Post Options Post Reply Quote rocketeer Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 May 2009 at 11:37am
	Man ya learn something new every day. Thanks for posting the pics. It appears that UC Davis has a copy of the manual. Their on-line facility allows a search of the document but does not appear to actually offer the document for on-line viewing. If you search on "Willys" it shows several occurrences within the document. Somebody living in the area might be able to scan it. UC Davis may even offer that service. Worth looking into maybe. http://content.cdlib.org/view?docId=kt2q2nd83n&chunk.id=d0e64117&brand=oac Larry Edited by rocketeer - 29 May 2009 at 11:58am

1959willysnut Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 29 May 2009 Status: Offline Points: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote 1959willysnut Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 May 2009 at 3:11am
	While searching the internet I came across a post on this forum regarding Topeka Hiway Mowers. These vehicles were built for mowing the right of ways along America's highways. I have found early examples of these built from Model A's to the later ones which used Continental flat head engines, T-90 transmissions, D18 transfer cases, and Dana 44 and 25 axles, i.e. Willys parts. Since acquiring one of these several years ago I have tried to find and catalog as many owners and descriptions of these vehicles as I can. To date, I have found eight Topeka owners. If any members on this forum have information as to these vehicles I would like to hear from you. I have provide links to two photos of my vehicle (yellow and partially disassembled) and those of two others. I know of one, similar to mine that is for sale, for $1000. My email address is mh8@sbcglobal.net.